Tangled Temptations

Chapter 200

The atmosphere in the office was as still as a held breath.

Eloise's face was noticeably pale.

It took her a moment to find her voice. "Harvey," she said, her tone ragged, "I would rather keep our dealings

strictly business. We shouldn't be discussing feelings, futures, and certainly not marriage."

She tilted her head slightly, "Who was it that said marriage is just a piece of paper?"

Harvey's expression slightly changed.

His voice was hoarse yet gentle, "I'm sorry, Eloise. I've broken your heart."

He pulled out a tissue and offered it to her.

Eloise suppressed her emotions, her voice low, "You want a chance, Harvey? I'll give you a chance. One year. I'll

be with you for a year. Once that year is over, we're done."

Harvey sat with his back to the window.

His figure was shrouded in shadows. His brows lifted slightly at her words. "And what if you fall forwithin that

year? What if you want to marrythen?"

Eloise didn't answer.

He understood her silence. She would protect herself, keep herself from falling for him.

This year, she would only give him what she had already promised.

Harvey leaned back on the couch, seemingly relaxed but visibly tense. He had helped her grow, and now she

was setting conditions, negotiating skillfully.

He was silent for a long time.

Eloise watched him, her voice tense, "Do you wanna do this or not, Harvey?"

"lI do," he heard his own voice conceding.

Eloise was momentarily dazed.

He had already risen and moved behind her, gently wrapping his arms around her. He whispered in her ear, "I

want this, Eloise. Stop with the talk of being simply a bed mate. | could never treat you like that. Our relationship

is legitimate. Stop saying otherwise, okay?"

Harvey was a master of charm and tenderness. He knew exactly how to play her.

Eloise was all too aware of this.

She stated calmly, "We won't live together. We won't meet each other's parents."

"Okay."

"But occasionally, I'll join you for a weekend. That's not too much to ask, is it? Isn't that how couples normally

interact?"

Eloise didn't object.

Truthfully, she didn't want him to cto her apartment.

After they had settled the terms, Eloise prepared to leave.

Harvey lightly held her shoulder, then leaned in and kissed her. She was seated;

he was standing. It was an awkward position for a kiss, but it made it all the more intimate.

Eloise didn't resist, but she didn't respond either.

When Harvey realized she wouldn't initiate, he chuckled lightly, "Have you forgotten how to kiss in just half a

year? Lethelp you."

His slender fingers gently tilted her chin, and he easily took control.

Eloise involuntarily let him in, and he made himself at home, his lips exploring

hers, turning what was meant to be a light kiss into a passionate exploration after being separated for half a

year.

Their hearts pounded in their chests after the kiss.

Harvey leaned against her, catching his breath. His voice was a whisper, "You still have feelings for me, Eloise."

Embarrassed,

he shakily buttoned up her blouse.

Caught in the heat of the moment, Harvey had unbuttoned it. Now, as she calmed down, she felt exposed. In her

hurry, she struggled with the buttons, and in the end, Harvey helped her.

He leaned in, resting his forehead against hers, "I really don't want to let you go." Tears welled up in the corner

of Eloise's eyes.

He knew she didn't want this, but that didn't mean her body didn't respond to him.

Harvey didn't tease her as he used to. Instead, he helped her straighten her clothes, whispering, "I have more

work to do. I'll have my driver take you back to the Crescendo Sound Workshop."

Eloise couldn't bear his gentleness.

She stood up to face him, struggling to maintain her composure, "I can take a cab, Attorney Horigan."

Harvey gazed at her with a look that was entirely that of a man looking at a

woman.

He smiled, "Still callingAttorney Horigan?"

Eloise was slightly flushed.

He didn't say anything else, instead pressing the inteto call Taylor in, "Escort

Ms. Laurent downstairs. Help her... get a cab."

Taylor's smile was sweet, "Ms. Laurent, this way, please."

She was smart enough to figure out the relationship between Eloise and her boss. She was particularly polite to

Eloise, but wisely kept her mouth shut.

A car was waiting outside the office.

But it wasn't a taxi. It was Eloise's own champagne-colored BMW. Seeing Eloise cout, Dwight jumped out of

the car, glaring at her.

His gaze was murderous.

Even Taylor sensed something was off, "Ms. Laurent, do you wantto call security?"

Eloise didn't want to make a scene. She gave a weak smile to cover her unease, "He's my driver. Thank you for

your help. Goodbye."

Taylor was smart, quickly taking her leave.

Eloise glanced at Dwight's hostile expression and moved to get in the car. Dwight brushed her hand away and

slammed the car door shut.

"Did you sleep with him?" He gritted his teeth and questioned.

Eloise's voice was icy, "Do you want the whole world to know?"

Dwight didn't care. All he knew was that when he heard she had gone to see Harvey, he felt like he was going

crazy. Fucking hell, he had cto Peterborough to get under Harvey's skin, and before he had even had the

chance, Eloise and Harvey were back together.

But apart from his indignation, something else was struggling to break free.

As for what it was, he didn't know.

All he knew was that he was angry, so angry he was speaking without thinking, "Why can't you accept me? Is it

because Harvey is more competent? Is it because he's older? Or is it because you like his pretentious elite

image?"

Eloise was livid.

She had already spent a draining half hour with Harvey. Now she had to deal with this punk. Her voice was

colder, "My personal affairs are none of your business. Remember your place."

Dwight, who had always been bold, couldn't tolerate her words.

He glared at her, kicking at the car, "You like him, don't you? What's so great

about that pretentious old man? He's no match for me."

Eloise didn't want to join in his madness.

Just then, a cab drove by. She flagged it down and moved to get in.

Dwight grabbed her arm, "You're not going anywhere."

Eloise shut the car door, apologizing to the driver before turning to Dwight with a calm yet firm look, "Dwight,

what on earth brought you to Peterborough?"

Under her penetrating gaze, Dwight found it impossible to lie.

Seeing his hesitation, Eloise softened her tone, "Quit messing around. If you don't

like working here, you're free to leave anytime. But if you stay, there's one rule. | won't join in your mischief."

Dwight was so young, only 23, two years younger than her.

She knew his intentions weren't pure, but she never thought of him as a bad person. He took great care of

Michelle, and despite his tough talk at Crescendo

Sound Workshop, he never bullied the young girl.

Eloise genuinely cared for him as if he were her own little brother.

There weren't many people like that in her life.

Having said her piece, Eloise climbed into the car, leaning back in the seat. "Drive